Definition of "sambuca" [sambuca]

• An ancient triangular stringed instrument. (noun)
• An Italian liqueur made from elderberries and flavored with licorice. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Once the sambuca was the center of attention, the other ships could draw up alongside the rest of the seawall and send troops up ladders with impunity."
• "Ouzo and other anise-flavored beverages such as sambuca consist of about 55 percent water, 45 percent alcohol, and a small amount of flavored oil."
• "The bride immediately swapped her L-plate for a pair of glasses, revealed she was a lawyer, and pointed out the contract wasn't legally binding – before downing yet another sambuca and shrieking for the compere to take his top off."